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Now that we all have survived the Thanksgiving feast and Black Friday shopping, it’s time for the simpler things in life. We suggest taking time to enjoy the lights and sounds of Richmond.

Christmas festivities kick off in Richmond this Friday evening from six to nine, with the Grand Illumination in Downtown Richmond. The main event will take place at the James Center Clock Tower, where Santa Clause will countdown and as he hits “0” the, skyscrapers will light up in all their glory. The traditional James Center Tree is also guarded by some twinkling reindeer on either side, which will also light in unison. Throughout the evening, music will be flowing through the air from the Varina High School Marching Band, the VCU Trombone Choir and Lite 98. Free horse and carriage rides will take you on a tour of Downtown to enjoy the lights. You might just see the Richmond Ballet Sugar Plum Fairy fluttering through the crowd as well!

Saturday, the Dominion Christmas Parade will continue the festivities throughout the weekend. The parade will kick off at the Science Museum making its way to Seventh Street. The theme this year will be shown throughout the holiday floats, marching bands, and gigantic balloons and the Legendary Santa will be there to see who is being naughty and nice. Visit their web site today for more information.

This weekend don’t miss out on these Richmond Holiday Traditions, they will be sure to get you into the Holiday mood.

See You Soon,Paula & Martin Ramirez

Paula and Martin Ramirez are the proprietors of Historic Mankin Mansion, a wedding resort and bed and breakfast just minutes from Downtown Richmond. They enjoy new restaurant finds, Virginia wines and discovering fun events and activities throughout the area for their guests.

There are quite a few Holiday Traditions in Richmond, and the annual Tree Lighting at The Jefferson should be at the top of your holiday to do list.

The Jefferson Hotel , built in 1895 by the famous Richmond resident Lewis Ginter, hosts an annual Tree Lighting that promises to dazzle even the big kids. This year, the festivities will begin on Monday, November 29 at 5:30pm with traditional music of the season following at 6pm, when the lights will take the main stage. As holiday characters mingle with the crowd, complimentary refreshments will be served in the Empire Room. The magnificent beautifully decorated treewill steal most of the attention, but the rest of the hotel will also be dressed in its holiday bests.

If you haven’t attended in the past, be sure to arrive early to ensure you get a good spot for the Tree Lighting. Build in some extra time to visit the Gingerbread House, a labor of love for the talented Pastry Department at The Jefferson Hotel.

The Jefferson offers many other holiday events including Music at Midday, which takes place nearly every day of the week beginning November 30. Entertainment includes local choirs, string ensembles, and violin groups, serenading you with sounds of the season.

Be sure to stop by the Jefferson during your holiday season visit to put you in the holly jolly spirit.

Paula and Martin Ramirez are the proprietors of Historic Mankin Mansion, a wedding resort and bed and breakfast just minutes from Downtown Richmond. They enjoy new restaurant finds, Virginia wines and discovering fun events and activities throughout the area for their guests.

We love the holidays here at the Mansion and it’s at this time of year that we are especially grateful and want to give back. With that being said, we’re pleased to announce a partnership that will allow us not only to help a great cause, but also assist others in doing the same.

This year, Historic Mankin Mansion, is teaming up with the national Toys for Tots program by serving as a toy donation drop off location. Bring your new, unwrapped toy to the Mansion and help us spread a little holiday cheer!

Toys for Tots, a 63-year national charitable program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, provides happiness and hope to disadvantaged children during each holiday season. The toys, books and other gifts collected and distributed by the Marines offer these children recognition, confidence and a positive memory for a lifetime. It is such experiences that help children become responsible citizens and caring members of their community. Last year the Marine Corps fulfilled the holiday hopes and dreams of 7.4 million less fortunate children. Since 1947 over 195 million children have been assisted. For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org.

We will be available for drop off Monday through Friday from 9-5pm during the days of November 29-December 10. Thank you in advance for your kind donation!

We’d also like to take a moment to thank those veterans who stayed with us as part of the B&Bs for Vets program on November 10. We had initially offered one room and then opened it up to three suites after we received hundreds of phone calls. We had two couples from the Air Force and one from the Army- from Maryland, Williamsburg and Richmond. Each enjoyed their respective stay as laughs abound and friendships were made.

See You Soon,Paula & Martin Ramirez

Paula and Martin Ramirez are the proprietors of Historic Mankin Mansion, a wedding resort and bed and breakfast just minutes from Downtown Richmond. They enjoy new restaurant finds, Virginia wines and discovering fun events and activities throughout the area for their guests.

We know that when our guests arrive, that they are ready for a relaxing experience. But this time of year, why not go ahead and check some of those people off your holiday gift list?

Premier Outlets in Historic Williamsburg just a quick fifty minute drive from the Mansion and we highly recommend checking this out during your stay. They have expanded over the last couple of years to include: Coach, Bare Essentials, Juicy Couture, Polo Ralph Lauren, Nike, and so much more. You will certainly find something there for everyone on your list with amazing savings of up to 65% at two-hundred and twenty designer and name brand outlet stores. The boutique feel of the stores is like none other. If you are a serious shopper and are going to be joining us during Thanksgiving, you can shop midnight madness for Black Friday.

Williamsburg is also great for even the non-shoppers in your group. During the holidays it is decked out to the nines in holiday décor, and we have no doubt that you will feel as though you have stepped back in time.

For your next visit why not take a day and visit one of Virginia’s most treasured locations. Oh, and why don’t you pick yourself up something nice while you’re there- come on, you deserve it!

Paula and Martin Ramirez are the proprietors of Historic Mankin Mansion, a wedding resort and bed and breakfast just minutes from Downtown Richmond. They enjoy new restaurant finds, Virginia wines and discovering fun events and activities throughout the area for their guests.

As Wedding Season winds down, we find ourselves gearing up for our other favorite time of year- Engagement Season! With that, we’re working behind the scenes to update our marketing material to reflect the amazing season we’ve just had.

We are almost ready to unveil our newly designed folder that deserves a memorable shot. We have been so appreciative and grateful for the wedding professionals who have taken the time to share their images with us. We love showcasing them on our web site, Facebook page, Blog and during our Wedding Slide shows at the Bridal Shows.

For this coveted spot, however, we’d love to see who can “Hit us with their Best Shot” as it will be the single image prominently featured on the front of the folder, which is distributed to all brides interested in booking the Mansion.

What are we looking for you may ask? We’d love an image that focuses on the property itself- during the day or evening. We love shots of our Mansion, tent, pergola and grounds, especially. We already have some swoon-worthy shots of brides and grooms so we’d prefer that this image not include people.

This contest is open to anyone, and if you are submitting on behalf of your wedding photographer, then you must have their written consent to do so. Photographs must be free of watermarks and can take place during any of our wedding seasons. We will happily credit the photographer on the folder.

Ready to hit us with your best shot? Please email a low resolution (up to 4MB) version of the image to weddings@historicamankinmansion.com by 5pm on Sunday, November 21. The winner will be informed shortly thereafter and will receive a complimentary stay here at Historic Mankin Mansion.

Questions? Please contact us at weddings@historicmankinmansion.com.Thanks in advance to all those who take the time to submit- we can’t wait to get started!

Local restaurants are great way to get an insider’s feel for Richmond. We suggest the newest addition to the city, Real Richmond Food Tours to sample the local chef’s best cuisine.

Real Richmond Food Tours displays the culinary treasures located in the heart of The River City. They currently offer three different tours such as: Shockoe: Shock and Awe, The Wards: The Art and Soul of Richmond, and the newest addition to the family Carytown/Museum District: Sass and Style. Shock and Awe is a trip through the historic areas of the Shockoe Slip, the bottom, up until the edge of Church Hill. The Art and Soul of Richmond helps you discover the southern style of this metropolitan city with stops a Lemaire at The Jefferson Hotel, Comfort, and Mama J’s. Sass and Style is a chic journey through the infamous Carytown and Museum District dropping in to six local dining spots with a lovely stroll through the Virginia of Fine Arts new sculpture garden.

All of the tours are approximately a mile and a half walk lasting two and half hours, so you know there is plenty of food to be had by all. All tours take you on a backstage view of the most famous restaurants available. Learning the secrets of chefs, butchers, and sweet treat bakers as they invite you in for a behind the curtain look. All tours are on Saturday starting at two in the afternoon, with a flat fee paid before the tour, so no cash needed because everything is covered. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and you might want to grab and umbrella just in case because the tour goes rain or shine.

We hope at your next visit with us, you take this amazing opportunity to experience the newest tour in Richmond and definitely the tastiest.

Paula and Martin Ramirez are the proprietors of Historic Mankin Mansion, a wedding resort and bed and breakfast just minutes from Downtown Richmond. They enjoy new restaurant finds, Virginia wines and discovering fun events and activities throughout the area for their guests.

When guests come to the Mansion we like them to get a real feel of Richmond, to feel like a local. The First Fridays Art Walk in downtown Richmond is a perfect way to experience the Richmond scene.

The First Fridays Art Walk stretches between Belvidere Street and 8th Street, from the Historic Jackson Ward to Monroe Ward. It is a self-guided tour every first Friday of the month that takes you on a historic, artful, and delicious stroll. The Art Walk is now in its tenth season and is still going strong with art galleries, restaurants, and stores supporting them along the way. No need to watch the weather reports- the Art Walk is rain or shine.

The Art Walk was started to showcase Richmond’s thriving art and culture. Eleven galleries total feature many mixed mediums such as paintings, photography, drawings, collages, and crafts. Quirk, a store located on Broad Street along the trail is exactly what it sounds like- an extremely cute little store featuring quirky, trendy gifts, souvenirs, and home décor. Eateries along your way will make sure you don’t go hungry or thirsty, so pull up a chair and take a load off. You can check out the Richmond Ballet, the newly renovated Centerstage, and the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia.

Make sure on your next visit with us you get the full experience of the artful, trendy city.

For more information, please visit their website . The best news? It’s just a few minutes drive from the Mansion!

See You Soon,Paula & Martin RamirezPaula and Martin Ramirez are the proprietors of Historic Mankin Mansion, a wedding resort and bed and breakfast just minutes from Downtown Richmond. They enjoy new restaurant finds, Virginia wines and discovering fun events and activities throughout the area for their guests.